YMCA Ohio Youth & Government

Behavior Policy

Students are expected to follow this behavior policy at all times. Negative behavior affects more than just the participant involved in the misconduct, it also affects those around them. 

• Drugs, cannabis products, alcohol, cigarettes (including vapes), weapons, sexually explicit materials, lighters, candles or explosive devices (including fire crackers) are prohibited at all YMCA OHYG events.
• Harassment, bullying or intimidation via words, gestures, body language, social media or any other menacing behavior are prohibited at any YMCA OHYG event.
• Social media shall only be used in a positive and encouraging manner both towards the YMCA OHYG program and fellow participants.
• Destruction to any hotel property, State House, conference facility or bus during any YMCA OHYG event is prohibited. Each participant is legally and financially responsible for any defacing or willful damage to public or private property. The parent/guardian will be contacted for appropriate payment to reimburse for any loss.
• Sexual activity, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment is prohibited at any YMCA OHYG event.
• Students attending a YMCA OHYG event are prohibited from leaving the hotel after their final off-site scheduled event of the day.
• Students shall observe quiet hours as posted at any overnight YMCA OHYG event. Students shall be in, and remain in, their assigned hotel room by the curfew listed in the official program schedule and may not leave except in case of emergency until 6:00 am the next morning.
• Students are not allowed in any hotel rooms except their own during any YMCA OHYG overnight event.
• Name badges shall be worn at all times by students at a YMCA OHYG event when they are outside their assigned hotel room. Name badges shall be worn visibly around the neck.
• Students shall attend all scheduled YMCA OHYG program functions, activities, meetings and training sessions.
• No student shall leave a YMCA OHYG event unless the advisor is notified and the student is signed out by a parent/guardian. If they are over the age of 18, they may sign themselves out.
• Students may not use or be transported in private vehicles during any YMCA OHYG even without approval of a parent/guardian, adult advisor and the YMCA OHYG staff.
• Chewing gum, candy, food and beverages (except water) are not permitted in the State House. Food and drink of any kind are prohibited in the House and Senate Chambers.
• YMCA OHYG does not provide transportation to or from conferences and assumes no obligation or liability for any such transportation.
• YMCA OHYG reserves the right to dismiss students whose behavior poses risk to the themselves, other participants or property. In the case of voluntary or involuntary dismissal, no refunds will be given.

Disciplinary Process

• In the case of any code of conduct violations, the advisor of the student will be contacted.
• Most disciplinary situations are minor and can be resolved with minimal corrections. The YMCA OHYG staff uses these situations as a learning opportunity for the student and tries to integrate problem-solving skills into the discussion. If the negative behavior continues the following steps may be instituted:
  • Discussion between the student, advisor and YMCA OHYG staff in order to set goals and objectives.
  • Discussion between the student, advisor and YMCA MYIG staff to clarify goals and objectives previously set. The parent/guardian will be contacted to inform them of the situation, enlist their help in resolving the situation, and to discuss options including that the child may be sent home.
  • If disruptive or inappropriate conduct continues, the YMCA OHYG Staff and advisor will contact the parents to make arrangements for the participants dismissal from the program. The student, parent and advisor will be notified at a later date of their ability to return to the program.

Although the above steps have been implemented, the YMCA Staff retains the right to take immediate action if the participant poses a threat to their own safety, the safety of other participants or YMCA Staff. There will be NO REFUNDS OF ANY AMOUNT for students who are sent home because of behavior problems. It is the parents/guardians’ responsibility to provide transportation for the child in the event of dismissal from the program within no more than 8 hours of notification.

Agreements

• I agree to notify the delegation advisor if my student will not be able to attend the conference before the drop deadline.
• I agree to the YMCA OHYG staff running a criminal and child endangerment background check on myself if I am over the age of 18 during the State Assembly.
• I grant the YMCA OHYG staff full authority to take whatever actions they deem necessary regarding my child’s health and safety, and I fully release YMCA Ohio Youth & Government and the Ohio Alliance of YMCA’s from any liability in connection there within. I understand that the YMCA OHYG staff and the delegation advisor will contact me if any medical issues arise and that the I will be responsible for payment of all medical and medication bills.
• I certify that all relevant medical and allergy information was included in my student's registration and sent to the delegation advisor.
• I understand that my student must follow the program rules and standards of conduct and that I will be notified to take home my student if they violate these rules, as determined by the YMCA OHYG staff. I further understand that in this event, no refund will be made.
• I understand that YMCA OHYG is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal articles.
• I authorize YMCA OHYG to have and use photographs, slides, video recordings and comments of my student as needed for promotional materials.
• I understand that my student may be asked to complete a survey at the end of the program.
• I authorize YMCA OHYG to have and use the information obtained in the survey from my student. I have received, read and agree to abide by all policies and procedures outlined in the student code of conduct and the behavior policy above.